Page 63 of Given

For a brief moment, he seemed uncertain, and it was jarring to see him not in control. But he recovered quickly. He strolled to the bed and draped the nightdress across the foot, laying it out as carefully as a maidservant. Anyone observing him now might find it difficult to believe he was capable of bending people to his will with nothing more than a drop of his blood and a few foreign-sounding words.

But he’d done exactly that. The burst of agony I’d felt every time I resisted his orders lingered like a bruise. He’d had this power all along—at every moment we’d spent together. In Lar Satha, he could have done whatever he wanted to me, and I would have been powerless to resist him.

I shivered as he continued moving about the room. He crossed to the washstand and wrung out a cloth. When that was done, he went to a tall dresser and poured a cup of water from a silver carafe. He brought both of these things to me and extended the cloth.

“For your chest.”

I looked down. Sure enough, he’d…released on my cleavage. I snatched the cloth from him and scrubbed the tops of my breasts. My scalp ached where he’d gripped my hair. And I ached between my thighs, even though he hadn’t touched me there. But he hadn’t needed to. The combination of his blood and Varick’s voice and rapt gaze had shoved me over that edge I normally had to chase. My errant desire was almost as terrifying as the knowledge that Laurent could override my will any time he chose.

He took the cloth from me and held out the water.

“What will happen if I don’t drink it?” I asked.

He pulled it back. Waited a moment and then went to the table next to the bed and set it down. He moved to the end of the bed and leaned against one of the posts with his arms folded. A casual pose. I wasn’t fooled for a second.

“I’m not a villain,” he said. “I think you know that already.”

“Do I, Your Grace? You told me your mother was a priestess. You neglected to mention you’re a priest who can force people to do whatever you want and then punish them when they don’t.”

“Varick set that in motion. I’ll speak to him.”

“But the words came from you. Do all vampires have that ability?”

Emotions flickered through his eyes. His mouth tightened slightly.

“Do they?” I pressed.

“Not all, no.”

“Just priests. Ones who practice dark blood magic.”

His eyes glinted, his casual posture more menacing for it. “Careful, Given. You’re not in Sithistra.”

“Oh, I’m well aware, Your Grace.” The air crackled, or maybe that was just the anger rolling off me. “I know I’m in Nor Doru, but that’s about all I know. Because you’ve kept me in the dark about what you have planned for me. Until today.” I tilted my head. “But I’m still confused. You say you want to make me your queen. Rule by my side, you said. Be revered. And now your general says being your queen means eating from your hand.”

“Ancient tradition. One he exaggerated.”

The energy in the air seethed, licking over me. “And sucking your dick until you spurt down my throat? Is that another ancient tradition?”

Heat—and maybe surprise—flashed in his eyes. “Your complaints would be a lot more compelling if you hadn’t come so hard you almost passed out…” He leaned toward me. “Princess,” he added softly. Deliberately.

I sucked in a breath.

The door opened abruptly. Two maidservants entered, both carrying steaming pitchers of water. They stumbled to a halt at the sight of Laurent.

“Your Grace!” the taller one exclaimed. “We came to ready the princess’s bath.” Her gaze darted to me. “We didn’t mean to disturb you…”

“We can return,” the other woman said, dipping a curtsy.

Laurent waved it off. “No need to make more work for yourselves. The water is hot, and I’m sure the princess wants to bathe before bed.” He gestured to the screen that concealed the tub. “Please go about your preparations. I know those pitchers are heavy.”

They curtsied again, then bustled to the screen. Seconds later, water splashed softly.

A range of emotions moved through Laurent’s eyes. It was obvious he wanted to say more, but he straightened. “We’ll speak in the morning.”

I couldn’t argue, not with the maids listening to everything. The mere mention of Varick’s name would breed all sorts of gossip. I lifted my chin. “Goodnight, Your Grace.”

He stared at me for a long moment. Then he stepped close, his voice more breath than sound. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know in the morning. No more secrets between us.”

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